Course summary
Studying American Studies and International Relations gives you the chance to explore the culture, history and politics of the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of global and regional economics and politics. This four-year BA American Studies and International Relations degree with a year abroad, opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by giving students transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. American Studies at Swansea is ranked: • 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospecs (Times Good University Guide 2024) • 5th in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2024) • 8th in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2024) Swansea University is one of a limited number of institutions selected to partner with the UK Parliament to deliver an innovative Parliamentary Studies module. The module is taught by specialist academic staff and includes a series of sessions with experts and members of staff currently working in the UK Parliament. The module features a day long visit to Westminister including talks with Senior Members of Parliament. They gain employment in a range of sectors including education, marketing, government, research and events management, working for prestigious organisations such as the Labour Party and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. You will be able to explore the history, literature, politics and culture, of the United States from the period of colonization to the presidency of Donald Trump, as well as a range of International Relations topics from globalization and global institutions to human rights and political economy. You will spend the third year studying in an American university, further improving your student experience and career prospects, and you will have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament, working closely with Ministers for one day a week for one Semester in your Final Year. Teaching on the course is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme. Visiting American professors also offer modules as part of the degree, and with more than 150 American students studying at Swansea each year, you have access to a ready-made network of contacts with links stretching across the USA.
Modules
We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your International Relations and American Studies degree to your own interests. Your first year of your undergraduate International relations and American Studies with a Year Abroad BA (Hons) will introduce you to the history, politics, culture and literature of America, as well as international relations and politics. The majority of first year modules will be compulsory, examples of recent compulsory modules include:
- Introduction to International Relations
- War and Peace in the Nuclear Age
- American Politics and Society
- The American Experience 1492-2000
- Global Justice and Human Rights
- Contemporary Moral Controversies
- America in Crisis: Political Culture and Society from the Tet Offensive to Trump
- Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives
- Politics and International Development
- Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump
- The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865–2008
- The Aftermaths of War
Assessment method
Throughout your undergraduate International Relations and American Studies with a Year Abroad BA (Hons) degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include: • Reading diary • Literature/ article review • Case study • Critical review For a full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-sciences/politics-philosophy-international-relations/ba-international-relations-american-studies-year-abroad/ or get in touch with us at [email protected]
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- LT2R
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are an international applicant please visit our international pages for more information and details on how to apply: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 21 credits M: 24 credits
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP